Summer visits back east are filled with nostalgia. Living on the west coast in southern California, I’m surrounded by palm tress and earth-friendly, low water landscapes. I miss Connecticut’s green forests, rambling rivers, babbling brooks, and quaint, country towns, even the sticky summer humidity and frequent thunderstorms.
This year’s two-week visit in July was nostalgia packed. It included (take a breath, it’s a long list) many days with my sister Marlene & her family, a few days in Massachusetts with cousin Fred and his wife Rachel, a visit (after forty-five years), with family friend, author, herbalist & ethnobotanist Barrie and her son Chris, a lunch date with long-time friend Joan, and a mini-reunion luncheon with close high school girlfriends, Gay, Karlene, Rosemary, Maxine and Annie.
The mini-reunion was at Gay’s stylish retirement home in the Connecticut countryside. We reminisced, laughed, and enjoyed a delicious lunch with plenty of white wine. We talked for hours about our careers, hobbies, travels, kids, grandkids, husbands, (exes), and significant others. Two sorority sister friends were sadly missed, Jeannie Kay, no longer with us, and Sally, living in the Midwest. Marveling at our persistent staying power in the aging process, we’re all still walking & talking, with sharp minds and our wits about us. We promised to keep in touch, and meet again next year if there’s a 60th Danbury High School reunion. If not we’ll plan our own mini-reunion like we did this year
Our last get-together was nine years ago (2007) at the Danbury High School 50th Class Reunion. During our 1950s high school years we were (one local chapter) Fro Delta Fro Sorority sisters, fun rah-rah girls, and two of us were cheerleaders.
Before Sundown 
I wish we could have given you a little less heat, but I’m glad to hear you had a good time.
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Thanks Dan! Yep, it was an unforgettable, fun visit back east! Humidity and thunderstorms included! 💛 Elizabeth
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How wonderful to meet up with friends from the past. The joy comes through on your pics, just lovely. ❤️
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Thanks so much, Van! It was a fabulous time. Miss my old high school girlfriends! 💛 Elizabeth
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Wow you were so busy! Thanks for sharing with us!
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Thanks Lynn, for your visit and comment! It was a busy, fun time! Worth a repeat trip next year! There may be a 60th high school reunion then! 💛 Elizabeth
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Wow that is amazing and fun!
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Great to know you had such a good time!
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Thanks so much, Damyanti! It was a perfect trip in every way! 💛 Christine Elizabeth
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Oh… I have the perfect solution. If you miss the east coast humidity, we can trade homes!
Seriously, I’m glad you enjoyed your visit. Hugs.
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(laughing) Thanks, Teagan! Hoping you get to the west coast at some point in your career! Can’t beat the weather in all seasons! However there is a back east charm that can’t be replicated. That’s where my roots are! 💛Huge hugs back!
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OMG! Your blog has me smiling and laughing at the irony of life… Back then you were the popular cheerleader, the girl I desperately wanted to be. Instead I was the intense, frightened “Chubby” girl who dreamed of being accepted into the ” in crowd”. A dream that seemed unattainable. Flash forward 60 years and we are dear friends and retired colleagues.
Love you, Melodie
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Thanks so much, Melodie! Happy you came by and liked the back east post! What can I say! I know you were a striking “blond” in your younger years! Plus you had creative talents, such as artist & singer, and many others that required brain work. Believe me, being a cheerleader, rah-rah- girl, etc. was great fun, however not taxing the brain much! Yep, we are retired colleagues, and forever “bestie” friends! Love & hugs back, 💛 Christine
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Having just been to a class reunion myself this weekend, I can appreciate the fun of these reconnections. I think so many people don’t attend their reunions because they believe they have nothing in common with the people they went to high school with.
What I discovered (after my own initial angst) was that these reunions gave me the opportunity to develop friendships now with people I barely knew 40+ years ago. It was wonderful and I’m happy I overcame my doubts and attended.
So glad you had a wonderful time rekindling old friendships. These are precious indeed.
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Joanne, thanks so much for your visit and comment! I totally agree about reunions! It’s amazing how many new friends you can make, and how people have progressed in life in good ways. We need to make new memories with our old friends too. 💛 Elizabeth
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“We need to make new memories with our old friends too” – well said!! 🙂
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Looks like a lovely trip with all those smiling faces of family and friends. I grew up in Glastonbury, so I’m familiar with the CT forests, streams, and greenness. It’s a lovely state.
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Thanks, Diana! Glastonbury is not far from Danbury where I lived. Yep, it was quite a nostalgia trip. I’m always amazed at the incredible “green” in the New England states. However I do remember the tough winters! And this time I was reminded of the summer “humidity” and “thunderstorms.” 💛Elizabeth
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I miss the thunderstorms, but not the snow-shoveling! 😀
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Exactly! Thunderstorms were kinda cool! Snow shoveling & driving in it not so! 💛 E
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I can relate. Our family is spread from the Northwest to the East coast. It reminds me how diverse and beautiful our landscape is in the US.
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Thanks so much, Ellie, for your visit and comment! I have family in the Northwest too, and it’s beautifully green! A lot of rain though! Still beautiful many months out of the year. 💛 Christine Elizabeth
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What a fun filled journey into nostalgia!
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Thanks so much for your visit and comment! Yep, it was filled with nostalgia. Love meeting up with old high school friends, and spending time with my sister & her family. 💛 Christine Elizabeth
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Whoah, so many pretty sorority girls!!! 😉 Glad to know you had a great time, C.E. 🙂
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Thanks, J.Gi! (laughing) should have seen us back in high school! The rah-rah girls. But we were nice & smart too! 💛 Christine
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I was just plain weird back in high school. Oh, wait, I’m STILL weird…LOL!!!
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Who knew you were a east at heart
Great post
As always Sheldon
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Yep, born in New Hampshire, lived in Maine & Connecticut growing up. Love the east coast to visit, not to live though. Winters are harsh! 💛Christine
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